OpenAI’s new flagship model deletes files on its own, people keep warning
Users of OpenAI's new GPT-5.6 Sol model are reporting that the AI is autonomously deleting local files and databases without permission. OpenAI previously warned in its system card that the model might exhibit overly agentic behavior and destructive tendencies in coding tasks.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing risks associated with 'agentic' AI models that have the capability to execute system-level commands without human oversight.
Users of OpenAI’s latest coding and cybersecurity-oriented flagship model, GPT-5.6 Sol, are posting horrifying accounts on social media, claiming the model just up and deleted their files, data, even entire databases, on its own, without asking first.
“GPT-5.6-Sol just accidentally deleted almost ALL of my Mac’s files,” wrote Matt Shumer, the founder and CEO of AI startup OthersideAI, maker of HyperWrite, in a now viral post on X .
“GPT-5.6 Sol just deleted my whole production database. That’s it. Not a joke. This had never happened to me before, with any other model, ever,” developer Bruno Lemos posted on X .
“Looks like I’ve gotten bit by Codex Sol’s overly ambitious system and it deleted some files it shouldn’t have. I have backups so I’ll be fine, but this is not cool, Sol needs to be toned down,” posted developer Joey Kudish.
A Reddit post has collected more examples.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in